intercession

[ in-ter-sesh-uhn ]

noun

1. an act or instance of interceding.
2. an interposing or pleading on behalf of another person.
3. a prayer to God on behalf of another.
4. Roman History. the interposing of a veto, as by a tribune.

intercession

/ ˌɪntəˈsɛʃən /

noun

1. the act or an instance of interceding
2. the act of interceding or offering petitionary prayer to God on behalf of others
3. such petitionary prayer
4. Roman history the interposing of a veto by a tribune or other magistrate

Derived Forms

• ˌinterˈcessional, adjective
• ˌinterˈcessor, noun
• ˌintercesˈsorial, adjective

Other Words From

• inter·cession·al adjective
• prein·ter·cession noun

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercession¹

1400–50; late Middle English < Latin intercessiōn- (stem of intercessiō ), equivalent to intercess ( us ) past participle of intercēdere to intercede (equivalent to interced- variant stem + -tus past participle suffix, with -dt- > -ss- ) + -iōn- -ion

Word History and Origins

Origin of intercession¹

C16: from Latin intercessio; see intercede

Example Sentences

Without his intercession, the Fire Nation plunged the world into a century of bloody conquests that began when they wiped out Aang’s entire culture, hoping to kill him, too.

From Salon

After beatification, a miracle attributed to the Ulmas’ intercession would be necessary for their eventual canonization, as the church’s sainthood process is called.

From Seattle Times

“It’s a cry for intercession by the higher power: ‘Come by here, my lord.’”

From New York Times

But most of all, the anastenaria feel empowered through the saints’ intercession to put out the smoldering embers.

From Seattle Times

Washington’s intercession ahead of the war’s anniversary appears to have been only partially successful.

From Washington Post